http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Tue, 6 May 2008 18:07:40 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/05/03/020610.php#comment-715914 Hopefully, Hank will control himself and let Cashman do his job. I do not think moving Joba into the rotation is the answer. His current role is perfect. You are right, the Yankees have done a good job of growing and nurturing farm system talent. I see them as a potential wildcard team, but not World Series Champions. Their future is very bright with just the right blend of veterans and youth. How the fans will see this season is an entirely different matter. Even though it's early, the Cardinals are a good example of what is possible. But then again, they are getting good starting pitching. 715914@blogcritics.org Tue, 6 May 2008 18:07:40 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/05/03/020610.php#comment-715835 I definately agree with you that it is too early to panic. My analysis here was an attempt to examine the current state of the team, their problems, and what kind of reaction those issues would illicit from the front office. The Yankees new direction is a positive one in my mind. While they possibily rushes Hughes and definately Kennedy, it is important to focus on player developement much like they did with Jeter, Posada, Rivera, Williams, and Pettitte in the 90's. While one can never count the Yankees "out," the fact is they are facing two major issues: power production (without Arod) and shoreing up the back end of their rotation. While Igawa and Ranser have dominated in AAA I'm not sure they're pieces of a championship club. I also worry about Mussina's effectivness against the better teams. Patient lineups like the Red Sox mash on him. If he can't get people to chase the knuckle curve he then throws that fast ball from behind in the count and gets hammered. The Yanks were bad this time last year and came back so there is really no reason to believe that they won't. My question with this piece was given all of the problems they are currently facing, how long before Hank, enraged that he allowed the Santana deal to die, will circumvent Cashman and start making his own moves -- namely moving Joba to the rotation. 715835@blogcritics.org Tue, 6 May 2008 14:41:50 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/05/03/020610.php#comment-715826 It is not panic time yet. Let's see which players step up. The Yankees just have to stay close. Boston has not had their share of injuries yet. Tampa looks real, but how real is the question. Baltimore is okay. In other words, pennants and wild card positions are not won in April or May. Yankee position players will be fine. The bullpen looks good, but the starting pitching is iffy. Wang, Pettitte, and Mussina look fine. However, 2 of the 3 are injury prone and we know which two I am talking about. Cashman is going to have to find a way to bolster the problem. There is a long way to go before hitting the panic button. 715826@blogcritics.org Tue, 6 May 2008 14:28:15 EDT